Three!

Somehow in the last few years we have gone from this: To this:

It's been quite a ride for all of us. Our three-year-old version of Milo gives the best hugs. He is fast fast runner (often in the opposite direction of where I would like him to be). Milo is beginning to realize there is a big world beyond his house and his people - this can be a little scary. His little voice is so sweet as he sings the alphabet and Bob the Builder theme song. It really shines, though, when he says I really really love you Mommy. He's not a fan of haircuts, so his shaggy little head of hair is starting to curl and stick out in all directions. Currently he loves all things Thomas the Tank Engine. He's learned to use a mouse and loves to play games on the computer. Each night before Chris tucks Milo into bed and reads him stories we talk about the favorite thing from our day and what we are thankful for. Sometimes it is going to the park, or a trip with Mommy to the grocery store, or a new book from the library. And even on tough days where the negotiating and whining have been too much, I sniff his head and think of how fast it is going. Three!

Different

Baby Leo is different than baby Milo was. Less dramatic in his highs and lows.

At almost three, Milo is still - or maybe more - mercurial. His moods changing from day to day and hour to hour.

My postpartum and nursing body is different than it was before. Heavier and denser. Not the same.

The weather here lately has had drastic swings from warm and sunny days to cold and windy storms.

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Driving home from the library yesterday, I turned left when I typically go straight. This immediately garnered a reaction from the backseat. Where are we going? This isn't the way home! I told Milo I was just going a different way for the fun of it. To change things up a little. He started crying. Different is not fun. Turn around Mommy. I promised him I would get us home. A few moments later upon arriving at our house I gave him a hug while unbuckling his seat. Different things can be scary, but they are okay. What will always be the same is that Mommy and Daddy love you.

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When everything seems different it helps to find the same in life. To find that constant and hold on to enjoy the ride of growth and change.

Leo - Two Months

Our sweet little Leo is growing right up! This past month has flown in a flurry of unseasonably warm days. We have gone to playgrounds and played in the backyard. Leo is typically in the Moby Wrap or in the ring sling. I am trying to keep him out of the baby carrier as much as possible because one side of his head is getting rather flat. Our pediatrician is doing osteo treatments on it and we're already seeing some improvement.

In other Leo news, he has started sleeping through most nights! Such a gift for this tired Mama. He typically wakes somewhere between 5 and 6 a.m. to nurse and then goes back to sleep for another hour or so. Throughout the day, he is mostly still sleeping, but does have some awake periods where he smiles, coos and looks around. We say he has a froggy smile. He often says something that sounds like AGA and we all like to repeat it back to him. He's not really grasping for objects yet, but he does enjoy looking at toys with a lot of contrast. Most mornings, he and Milo take turns activating the lights and music on his bouncer. I love watching them play this game together.

Leo still seems itty bitty to me, but at his last appointment he weighed around 12.5 pounds. He is mostly in size 3 months clothes. It has been fun dressing him in my favorite outfits that Milo once wore.

We're still in survival mode as we get used to life with two kiddos, but Leo has been a joy. He's a super easy baby to love and be around. Unless he is very tired or very hungry, we don't usually hear him make too much of a fuss. He likes to look around and take in everything. And in the moments I steal with just him, I like to take him in and revel in his sweet babyness.